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EU Statement - ILO Governing Body 353rd Session - Global Framework on Chemicals

11.03.2025
Geneva
Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in Geneva

ILO Governing Body, 353rd session

10 – 20 March 2025

Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste and the Bonn Declaration: Implications for the ILO and proposed follow-up action

GB.353/INS/5

EU Statement

 

Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The candidate countries Türkiye, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania[1], Ukraine, Republic of Moldova and Georgia, the EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Area align themselves with this statement.

  1. We thank the Office for the document on the Global Framework on Chemicals – GFC. 

  2. The sound management of chemicals and waste are of paramount importance to address the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. It is inevitable that these crises affect the world of work.

  3. A safe and healthy working environment must be a key objective in the global management of chemicals. At the same time, competent authorities and social partners can contribute significantly to the effective implementation of a sound management of chemicals and waste.

  4. The EU and its Member States support the five areas of follow up actions, with a few suggestions for possible consideration.

  5. Firstly, recognizing that a safe and healthy working environment is a fundamental principle and right at work, the EU in particular supports the promotion of the ratification and implementation of relevant ILO standards into chemicals and waste management efforts. 

  6. Recognizing the importance of increasing rates of ratification and effective implementation of key international labour standards on chemicals, such as conventions number 170, 174, 155 and 187, we welcome the Office’s continued efforts and the foreseen standard-setting discussion on the consolidation of instruments on chemical hazards in 2027 and 2028 ensuring an up-to-date approach. While policy alignments have benefits, merging distinct frameworks poses challenges. The ILO’s action should focus on occupational safety and health, avoiding issues beyond its mandate. 

  7. Secondly, we welcome the objective of providing technical support and capacity development for mainstreaming sound chemicals management into national occupational safety and health systems. In our view this should include support for the implementation of the globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals, which is an important contribution to achieving the strategic objectives and targets of the GFC.

  8. Thirdly, the GFC targets of particular relevance for the work environment should in our view also include the target on promoting reliable information on chemicals in products and materials throughout the value chain.

  9. Lastly, we strongly agree that there is a necessity for the ILO to engage with Multilateral Environmental Agreements and participate in relevant inter-agency initiatives, such as the Global Alliance on Highly Hazardous Pesticides, and respective UN Conferences to ensure that labour concerns are appropriately reflected in multilateral action on chemicals and waste.

  10. We cherish that the Office’s work on sound chemicals management has increased since 2006, and recognize the rising need to support constituencies in addressing labour-related chemical hazards.

  11. In line with the Bonn Declaration, we welcome the integration of the objectives and targets of the GFC into the ILO Programme & Budget for 2026-2027 and in future action by the Office. 

Chair, with these comments, we welcome the Global Framework on Chemicals and the Bonn Declaration and endorse the proposed follow-up action points.

Thank you.
 

[1] North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process